Councillor Richard Johnson, Executive Councillor for Housing, said: “Any death on the streets is a death too many. Homelessness and rough sleeping is a problem which affects most cities, including Cambridge, and the consequences of this - including, sadly deaths that are either directly or indirectly related to their situation - are unfortunately borne out by the national statistics which were released today by the ONS.

“The Government need to take a hard look at themselves and consider the extent by which their austerity policies has been a contributory factor to the rise in deaths over the last few years.

“Indeed, Cambridge City Council are acutely aware of the risks and dangers faced by rough sleepers, and works pro actively with agencies and charities, like Jimmy’s and Wintercomfort, to assist and help those who are homeless with immediate help and assistance and to eventually reintegrate back into society, including the possible eventual providing of permanent accommodation.”

It is estimated that 28 homeless people died in Cambgridgeshire and Peterborough between 2013 and 2017, but the real figures may be even higher.

Cause of death

Around 40 per cent of the deaths seen over the last five years were deemed accidents, but one in every 10 were due to intentional self-harm. Some 835 people died from either accidental or intentional drug overdoses - nearly a third of the total number of deaths.

Opiates such as heroin, morphine and methadone proved the most deadly - responsible for 507 deaths over the five years. Cocaine and benzodiazepine (sleeping pills) were responsible for 70 and 85 deaths respectively. Meanwhile, at least 282 homeless people died from alcohol poisoning between 2013 and 2017.

Other causes of death included assault (24 deaths), flu and pneumonia (49) and HIV (six). Homeless men aged 45-49 were the most at-risk, with 340 losing their lives in the last five years. However, 24 teenagers aged 15 to 19 also died in 2013-17 - 21 boys and three girls.

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London and the North West had by far the largest numbers of deaths of homeless people in 2017 out of the English regions, with 136 and 119 estimated deaths respectively. London had more than one-fifth (23%) of the estimated total number of homeless deaths in England and Wales.

In contrast, Wales had fewer deaths than any of the regions of England (13 in 2017). Generally, February proved the deadliest time of year, with 253 homeless people dying during the month, followed by December (242) and March (239).

Greg Beales, campaign director at Shelter, said: “This appalling loss of life should be a source of national shame.

“There is nothing inevitable about homelessness or about these tragic deaths which are a consequence of a housing system which fails too many people.

“This new research from the ONS shows 597 people died homeless in one year. It doesn’t have to be this way.

“Our crippling shortage of social housing and a threadbare safety net are at the root of this national emergency and we call on Government to make this year a turning point in the fight to ensure that there is a safe home for all those who need it.”